Former US Air Force officer and combat pilot, Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., has been arrested on charges of providing defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Brown, who had a distinguished career in the Air Force, including leading combat missions and training US military pilots on various aircraft, allegedly spent years overseas training Chinese military pilots.
According to the Justice Department, Brown, known by the call sign “Runner,” was in China between December 2023 and February 2026, training military pilots for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). He had negotiated a contract with a Chinese national, Stephen Su Bin, who had previously pled guilty to conspiring to steal sensitive US military data. Throughout the negotiations, Brown expressed his intent to train PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations.
Upon arriving in China, Brown allegedly wrote to his co-conspirator expressing excitement about the opportunity to fly and instruct fighter pilots again. He remained in China until early February 2026 before returning to the US. The FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division assistant director, Roman Rozhavsky, stated that Brown had betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, emphasized that Brown had jeopardized the safety of US servicemembers and allies and would be held accountable for his actions. She reaffirmed the commitment of the Department of Justice to use every lawful tool available to protect American military expertise.
Former Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. had previously warned about China’s efforts to recruit American military talent to enhance its military capabilities. He highlighted the threat posed by the People’s Liberation Army’s recruitment of American veterans and the need to safeguard national security against such tactics.
The arrest of Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr. serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by foreign entities to exploit US military expertise for their own gain. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are committed to stopping individuals who collaborate with adversaries to harm national security and will continue to hold them accountable for their actions.
